Method of forming cigars



Dec. 3, 1935. B. A. LINCOLN 2,023,370

METHOD OF FORMING CIGARS Filed Sept. 22, 1934 ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 3, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE METHOD OF FORMING CIGARS phia, Pa.

' Application September 22, 1934, SerialNo. 745,013

6 Claims.

The present invention relates to a method of forming cigars and more particularly to a. novel method of forming a perforated tip or smoke bore in the drawing end. of the same.

While heretofore various methods have been devised for forming such tips, these have proven unsuccessful under modern commercial conditions either because such methods required the formation of the perforation prior to the application of the wrapper to the filler, because in forming the perforation the wrapper was broken adjacent the opening, because the perforation closed up after having been made, because it was necessary that a plug remain in the cigar, or because the perforation was so formed that shreds of the filler escaped from the bore into the mouth of the smoker.

The present invention contemplates a method of forming cigars which overcomes the above recited disadvantages and comprises perforating the cigar after the wrapper has been applied and the cigar is in a finished condition, and thereafter increasing the size of the opening, turning a portion of the wrapper thereinto, and burnishing it with a heated tool to partially dry the tobacco adjacent the bore and cause the bore to retain its shape.

The primary objects of the present invention are to provide a method of forming smoke bores in the tips of cigars by the use of which method a bore will be formed which will remain open; in which the wrapper on the outside of the cigar will not be broken by the perforation; and which at the same time will be economical to use.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will be obvious from the specification, claims, and from the drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic sectional view of a mold and punch used in carrying out my invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the punch shown in Fig. l; and

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a reamer or burnishing tool used in carrying out the invention.

In carrying out my preferred method, a cigar, preferably as soon as it has been completely manufactured in accordance with any preferred method, is placed in a mold 5 conforming to the shape of the cigar, which mold may have an opening 6 at the mouth end or tip of the cigar in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the cigar. Through the opening 6 may be passed the point of a punch 7 preferably formed of tool steel and comprising a needle shaped point or head la and M a suitable handle portion lb. The head of the punch preferably is needle sharp and so slightly tapered so that in penetrating the wrapper the wrapper is cut and not broken adjacent the tip as is the case where a blunt punch is used.

After a penetration of the tip of the cigar to 5 a suitable distance by the punch I this tool is withdrawn and the cigar either before or after it is removed from the mold 5 may have applied to the perforation formed by the punch I a reamer, swaging, or burnishing tool 8 which pref- 10 erably is formed of brass and which carries a point 8a of greater taper than the point 'la and a handle 8b. The point 8a enlarges the opening formed by the point 1a and forces the perforated portion of the wrapper into the opening to form 15 a lining about the outer end of the opening and thus retain the filler in place.

Prior to the application of the tool 8 to the cigar it preferably is heated to a temperature of between 225 and 250 F., these temperatures 20 being critical since a temperature of over 250 tends to scorch or burn the wrapper, and a temperature of under 225 necessitates leaving the reamer 8 in the perforation for a period of time as contrasted with simply inserting the tool and 25 removing it immediately as contemplated by my invention.

Preferably in inserting in the cigar both the punch 1 and the reamer 8 a relative rotary motion 'is imparted to the tools and cigar about the 30 cigars longitudinal axis. Where the punch 1 is used this motion helps to make the perforation without breaking up the end of the wrapper, and where the reamer 8 is used such motion helps to increase the size of the opening and 35 burnishes the walls thereof so that it remains open. After withdrawal of the tool 8 the cigars may be banded and packed inany suitable and well known manner.

Various modifications may be made in the above 40 described embodiment of my invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof as set forth in the following claims:

What is claimed is:

1. The method of making tips which comprises 45 completing the formation of the cigar; perforating the wrapper and cigar substantially along its longitudinal axis, and thereafter inserting a heated burnishing tool of greater diameter at its base than said perforating tool in said per- 50 foration and rotating the same.

2. The method of making tips which comprises completing the formation of the cigar; perforating the wrapper and cigar substantially along its longitudinal axis, and thereafter inserting a burnishing tool of greater taper than said perforating tool in said perforation and rotating the same, said burnishing tool having a temperature of between 225 F. and. 250 F.

3. The method of making cigar tips which comprises inserting in a cigar after application of the wrapper and before packaging an unheated sharp tool in a position to penetrate the wrapper at the mouth end and form a perforation along the longitudinal axis of the cigar, withdrawing said instrument, and thereafter inserting in the opening so formed a heated instrument of similar length but of larger diameter at its base than said first instrument and rotating the same.

4. The method of making cigar tips which comprises inserting in a cigar after application of the wrapper and before handing a tapered sharp steel tool, withdrawing said instrument, and

thereafter inserting in the opening so formed a heated brass burnishing tool instrument of greater diameter than said first instrument and rotating the same.

5. The method of making cigar tips which comprises perforating the wrapper of a finished cigar at the tip and along the longitudinal axis, thereafter turning a portion of the Wrapper into said perforation, enlarging the diameter of the same,

burnishing the walls of said perforation, and dry- 10 ing said walls. 6. The method of making cigar tips which comprises perforating the Wrapper of a finished cigar at the tip and along the longitudinal axis, thereafter simultaneously turning a portion of the 15 wrapper into said perforation, enlarging the diameter of said perforation, burnishing the walls thereof, and drying said Walls.

BENJAMIN A. LINCOLN. 

